I love to draw. Drawings is a wonderful activity. It can be used as a way of expressing ones self, to communicate an idea, or, the way i use it, a tool to hlep you relaxe.
That being said, the drawing classes at punahou are a failure. The class curriculums spend too much time focusing of unimportant techniques and concepts, too much time writing, and way too much time trying to express your feelings. Not enough time is spent just drawing.
Teachers are in the habit of making us write stuff down in our sketchbooks. Stuff thats supposed to give us inspiration, or stuff that we can draw. After each class, we're supposed to write a paragraph about random things. My teacher doesn't care what we write, just as long as we write. How about we draw for homework, instead of writing? If I wanted to write, I would have signed up for creative writing, not drawing.
There is nothing wrong with expressing yourself. In fact, i think it is important. But expression should not be forced. In drawing classes, the teachers force you to 'express' you deepest emotions and feelings while drawing. But the catch is, you have a deadline. You need to express your self in time to turn in your piece for grading. Expression should not be forced! It should come naturally and easily, like conversation with a friend. If teachers try and make you 'express' yourself, it just feels awkward and the finished project sucks 8 out of 10 times.
Drawing is fun. Actually, thats not enitrely acurate. Drawing should be fun. It is not worth doing if it does not bring enjoyment. Drawing classes at Punahou siphon out all the fun of drawing, and just leave the dull, unpleasant, stupid stuff. An example is bind contour drawing. to draw blind contour, you must cover you paper while you draw so you can't look at it, and your eyes must never leave the subject that you are drawing. Blind contour drawings are completely useless. If i can't see my paper in front of me, i'm not drawing. I'm making random marks on a piece of paper i can't see, hoping that the marks make some distiguinshable shape or form.
If drawing is not fun, don't do it. If you like to draw, draw and have fun with it. But be warned: drawing classes are NOT fun. If you like drawing, do yourself a favor:
Here is an excerpt from my Common Place Book:
I love to draw. Drawings is a wonderful activity. It can be used as a way of expressing ones self, to communicate an idea, or, the way i use it, a tool to hlep you relaxe.
That being said, the drawing classes at punahou are a failure. The class curriculums spend too much time focusing of unimportant techniques and concepts, too much time writing, and way too much time trying to express your feelings. Not enough time is spent just drawing.
Teachers are in the habit of making us write stuff down in our sketchbooks. Stuff thats supposed to give us inspiration, or stuff that we can draw. After each class, we're supposed to write a paragraph about random things. My teacher doesn't care what we write, just as long as we write. How about we draw for homework, instead of writing? If I wanted to write, I would have signed up for creative writing, not drawing.
There is nothing wrong with expressing yourself. In fact, i think it is important. But expression should not be forced. In drawing classes, the teachers force you to 'express' you deepest emotions and feelings while drawing. But the catch is, you have a deadline. You need to express your self in time to turn in your piece for grading. Expression should not be forced! It should come naturally and easily, like conversation with a friend. If teachers try and make you 'express' yourself, it just feels awkward and the finished project sucks 8 out of 10 times.
Drawing is fun. Actually, thats not enitrely acurate. Drawing should be fun. It is not worth doing if it does not bring enjoyment. Drawing classes at Punahou siphon out all the fun of drawing, and just leave the dull, unpleasant, stupid stuff. An example is bind contour drawing. to draw blind contour, you must cover you paper while you draw so you can't look at it, and your eyes must never leave the subject that you are drawing. Blind contour drawings are completely useless. If i can't see my paper in front of me, i'm not drawing. I'm making random marks on a piece of paper i can't see, hoping that the marks make some distiguinshable shape or form.
If drawing is not fun, don't do it. If you like to draw, draw and have fun with it. But be warned: drawing classes are NOT fun. If you like drawing, do yourself a favor:
DON'T TAKE CLASSES!!